A funny misunderstanding turned into a whole new trend! One day, a foreigner walked into a convenience store and politely asked the part-time worker the way to Nonghyup Bank, asking “농협은행 어디에요?” (Nong-hyeop-eun-haeng eo-di-e-yo?) – “Where is Nonghyup Bank?” The response to this question turned into a meme that took the Korean Meme world by storm. The worker misheard it as “너무 예쁘네요” (Neo-mu ye-ppeu-ne-yo) – “You’re so pretty!”, and, flustered, thanked the customer for the unexpected ‘compliment’.
Years later, this clip inspired the ‘은행 플러팅 챌린지’ (Eun-haeng Peul-leo-ting Chael-lin-ji) on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. People now play with the sound-alike names of Korean banks to flirt or compliment each other. Let’s break down these clever puns and learn some cute Korean phrases at the same time!
1. 농협은행 (Nong-hyeop-eun-haeng) – 너무 예쁘네 (Neo-mu ye-ppeu-ne)
Meaning: Nonghyup Bank sounds like “So pretty!”
너무 (Neo-mu): very, too
예쁘네 (Ye-ppeu-ne): “So pretty, huh~” (soft exclamation)
Use it to compliment someone’s look or outfit: 너무 예쁘네! (Neo-mu ye-ppeu-ne!) – “You’re so pretty!”
2. 기업은행 (Gi-eop-eun-haeng) – 귀엽네 (Gwi-yeop-ne)
Meaning: IBK Bank sounds like “So cute!”
귀엽다 (Gwi-yeop-da): to be cute
~네 (~ne): gentle exclamation ending
Use it when someone looks cute or does something adorable: 귀엽네! (Gwi-yeop-ne!) – “Aww, so cute!”
3. 국민은행 (Guk-min-eun-haeng) – 고민해 (Go-min-hae)
Meaning: KB Kookmin Bank resembles “I’m worrying” or “I’m hesitating.”
고민하다 (Go-min-ha-da): to worry, be conflicted
해 (Hae): casual “do/am”
Say this when you can’t decide: 나 고민해 (Na go-min-hae) – “I’m debating.”
4. 대구은행 (Dae-gu-eun-haeng) – 퇴근해 (Twe-geun-hae)
Meaning: Daegu Bank sounds like “I’m getting off work!”
퇴근하다 (Twe-geun-ha-da): to finish work
해 (Hae): casual “do/am”
It’s everyone’s favorite line after a long day of work: 나 퇴근해! (Na twe-geun-hae!) – “I’m off work!”
5. 신한은행 (Sin-han-eun-haeng) – 신나네 (Sin-na-ne)
Meaning: Shinhan Bank sounds like “I’m excited!”
신나다 (Sin-na-da): to be excited
~네 (~ne): soft exclamation
Great for fun moments: 신나네! (Sin-na-ne!) – “I’m so excited!”
How Koreans Use This Meme
Because of this clever wordplay, Gen Z and TikTokers use hashtags like #농협은행 (#Nong-hyeop-eun-haeng) instead of #너무예쁘다 (#Neo-mu ye-ppeu-da) to mean “So pretty”, or #기업은행 (#Gi-eop-eun-haeng) instead of #귀엽다 (#Gwi-yeop-da) for “So cute”. Even K-pop idols joined the trend, proving how funny and catchy Korean memes can be!
Next time you see these banks, you might smile and think, 너무 예쁘네~ 귀엽네~ 신나네! (Neo-mu ye-ppeu-ne~ Gwi-yeop-ne~ Sin-na-ne~)
Keep an eye out for more quirky Korean memes – they’re great for picking up playful everyday phrases!
다음에 또 만나요! (Da-eum-e tto man-na-yo!) – “See you next time!”
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